The lake level is 164.97 above sea level. That is 1/2 ft high. Normal pool being 164.40. The lake has fallen steadily about 3/4 ft in the last week. The water is a nice color, and the pollen is all but gone. Water in good condition.
The two main factors to consider catch largemouth are the shad spawn and the post spawn cycle of the bass.
The annual Sealy Big Bass tournament is next week. The shad spawn will likely produce many of the fish that take home some money. Those bass will be caught shallow (1ft- 5ft) mostly at or within a couple of hours of daybreak. Primary lures will be topwater baits 3 to 5 inches long, spinnerbaits in shad colors, and swim jigs. A variety of other presentations will work also.
Post spawn largemouth range in location and depths depending on the area they spawned. Shallow flats in backwater type spawners usually stay close in horizontal cover in the deepest nearby water like large lay downs or matted torpedo grass (hay).
Deeper spawners will go to nearby drops or brush/standing timber and suspend in the water near the depth they spawned in like 6 to 12 foot down from the surface. This is regardless of the water depth.
Best baits for post fish will be large swimming type worms for shallow post spawners (and slow topwater or frog). Best choices for deeper area spawners will be jerk baits, lightweight wacky senko, vibrating swim baits, and erratic mid-depth cranks.
Many nice catches will also come from hard spots on C-Rigs, shakey heads, and football jigs.
I still have a few days in May and June if you are interested in a guided bass trip.
Be careful out there and good luck in your fishing.
Brian Branum
Full Time Bass Guide - Lake Sam Rayburn
www.brianbranumfishing.com
409-698-6075